Automatic water-heater.



PATENTED APR. 28, 1908. G. S. WALKER. AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTR ATTURNEY l l l l I l u WITNESSES: Zw@

GILBERT WALKER, OF WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA.

AUTOMATIC WATER-HEATER. n

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 28, 1908.

f Application filed July 22, 1907. Serial N0.'384,914=.

To all whom it may concerns Beit known that I, GILBERT S. WALKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wheeling, in the county of Ohio and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Water- Heaters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic water heaters and more particularly to the igniters used in connection'therewith.

The object of my invention is to provide means whereby the heating burner used in connection with a water heater will be automatically lighted when the water is turned on or the heating flame is blown out by draft or explosions after the same has been started.

My invention consists of structural features and relative arrangements of elements which will be hereinafter more fully and clearly described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the two sheets of drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate the same parts in the several views, Figure 1,

is a vertical section through a water heater,

with my improvement applied; Fig. 2, is a similar section of a modified form of the in vention; Figs. 3, and 4, are similar sections of modified forms. of the same invention;

Fig. 4a, is an enlarged plan view ofthe magneto machine used in connection with the form shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 1, the water heating apparatus to which my' invention is herein shown as applied, and .which in and of itself is not claimed asy of my invention, consists, essentially, of a coil of pipe 1, inclosed within any suitable casing 2. Connected with the cold water inlet of the coil 1 is a chamber 8 in which is situated preferably a spring pressed `piston'valve 4, against which operates the nected by means of a pipe 11 to the chamber 8 is a second chamber 12 which is also provided with a spring pressed valve 13 said chamber 12 having a gas inlet pipe 14 as in-- with a pilot burner 19 adjacent to the heating burner 6. f

Connected with the outlet of the heating coil 1 is a chamber 20 the interior of which is I provided with a thermostat 21 which consists of an outer tube 22 of co per or other material having a high coe cient of eX- pansion containing a rod 28 of porcelain or other materiallhaving a low coefcient of expansion. The difference of expansion .between the two is multiplied by the levers 24 and 25 suitably pivoted as indicated to the casing or frame work of the heater. Abutting'against the underside of the lever 25 and controlled thereby are the rods 26 and 27 which are connected respectively to the spring pressed valves 17 and 13 for purposes to be hereinafter eX lained.

28 is the pipe for eading 0H the hot water to the place of consumption.

29 is a conductor spring supported on` and Acontrolled by the rod 10 connecting the two valves 4 and 9.

30 is one terminal with which the lever 25 comes in contact and 81 is the other terminal.,

contacting with spring 29 of the primary circuit 32 of an induction coil 36.

33 is the battery, 34 is the vibrator and 35 the secondary circuit of the induction coil which secondary circuit has its spark gap 37 adjacent to a gas outlet of the main burner. y

The parts yare indicated in the position they assumev when hot Water is fiowing from the outlet pipe 28.

The invention lshown in Fig. 1 operates as follows: When-cold water is fed into pipe 5 by the o ening of any suitable valve (not shown) t e pressure acts against the spring pressed valve 4 and opens up communication with the heating coil 1. has assumed the position in chamber 3 as indicated in the drawing the gas valve 9 is opened andthe gas flowing through pipe 14, valve 13, and pipe 11, is permitted to pass When the valve 4 out through valve 9 tothe burner 6. The

. lever 25, owing to the thermostat 21 being still cold is in contact with the terminal 30, and the terminal 31 being in contact with the conductor spring 29 a current is passed through the primary circuit 32 by the intermediate metallic sections consisting of rod 27, casing of chamber 12, pi e 11, casing of chamber"8 and rod 10, wliich induces a current through the secondary circuitl 35 which creates a spark at the ga 37 and lights the gas issuing from the urner as readily understood. After the .water passing through the heating coil 1 becomes hot, the copper tube 22 of the thermostat 21 expands and permits the lever 25 to break contact y with the terminal 30 and thus the sparking or igniting device will cease to operate and the burner 6 will continue to burn. The

ilot burner 19 will be lightedfrom the main Eurner 6 and will continue to burn so that should the main burner go out, for any reason whatever it will be relighted from said pilot burner. The pilot burner 19 is controlled by the-small valve 17 and only burns while the water is hot, since the raised position of the lever 25 permits the valve 17 through 'rod 26 to remain open. This arrangement isfor the pur ose of relighting the main burner 6 in case t e water supply is closed and reopened before the water in the heating coil has cooled ofi suliciently to permit the thermostat vto close the electric circuit. It will be seen by the fore oin described arrangement that the supp y o gas to the main burner is not only controlled, by the water ressure but also by the thermostat through tiie lever 25 and rod 27 controlling the gas .inlet valve 13. The device is so arranged that the differences of ressure -.between the water pressure on t e cold -v water side and thaton the hetv water side opens the main gas valve whenever hot water -1s drawn, and when no water 1s belng drawn the waterpressure on the two sides of.

the' water valve 4y equalize and the spring closes the gas valve and returns the water valve to normal osition.

The modiicatlon shown in Fi 2 carries out thezsame invention in whic 1 is the heating coil, 2"L the casing, and 4a the water.

l valve havinga rod 10*l connected therewith. 5a is. the cold water inlet, and 28a is the hot wateroutlet. 21a is a thermostat consisting of a thin inner tube of good heat conducting p material. inter osed in the hot water outlet and connecte with a flexible disk and the whole filled with a volatile iluid, the vaporization of which distends the disk and closes the gas valve as will be hereinafter explained. y

14'* is'the supply pipe for the gas to the main burner '6*l attached to pipe 7` and is controlled by the valve 13. Said valve 13 is provided with a rod having an enlarged end -water is passing through the heater.

13 against which may abut the valve rod 10* and also the upper end of the ivoted arm 10 whose position is controlled by the thermostat 21.

38"L is van auxiliary thermostat situated over the ilot burner 19"L near the main burner an is constructed of two metals with different coefficients of ex ansion having one end fixed and the other' ree to act a ainst the pivoted arm 39* which arm 'is held 1n the position shown by the spring 42 and is also capable of acting against the enlarged end 13 of the gas valve rod and control the supply of as to the main burner 6a.

' xtending .from the main gas supply pipe 41l is a branch pipe 18 which feeds the pilot burner 19 and also connected with this supply pipe 14a is a flexible pressure diaphragm 14a to which is connected the wire 40a of a primary circuit 32 of an induction coil 36, the other end of said wire being permanentlyl connected with the pivoted arm 39a. 29 is a terminal of the primary circuit 32a against which the pivoted arm 39 contacts when the thermostat is cold and the pilot burner 19a is not burning.

35 is the secondary circuit having .a spark ap 37 adjacent to the gas outlet of pilot burner 19. 34a is a vibrator of' the induction 'coil, which restsagainst the stop and only touches its contactor when the diaphragm 41l is distended.

The operation of the invention as shown in Fig. 2 is as follows: The illustration shows the position thev parts assume when the hot When the hot water outlet is opened and the pressure reducedj'the'water valve 4 is moved against the action-of its spring by the pressure of the cold water and is made to assume the position as indicated in the drawing. Thispermits the gas valve to o en and supply gas to the mam burner 6'l .w

4-1L is distended by thegas from pipe 1,4a and causes the circuit in the primary'32 to be completed since the arm 39* is in contact with the terminal 29* which aspreviously described` in connection with Fig. 1, causes sparks to be formed at the gap 37 andlights the pilot burner 19. The heat from the pilot light. 19 causes the auxiliary thermostat 38'L to move inward and thegas valve 13l opens as explained above. The ilows to the main burner 6 and is lig ted by the pilot light .19. After the thermostat 38 is heated by the pilot burner, it is made to assume the position shown in Fig. 2, and the pivoted arm 39* breaks contact with terminal 29 and stops the sparking operation. It, will be seenater the water flowing from the outlet 2 8l becomes hot the thermostat 21 will automatically control the osition of the valve 13* and hencethe supp y of gas to the burner. Likewise the flow or presen the pilot light is lighted. The pressure diaphragm' as then automatically controlled sure of water will control the position of the valve 4 which in turn will/also control the position of the valve 13a and flow of the gas to the burner.- y l Should the pilot burner for any reason be extinguished, the thermostat 38 would cause the lower end of the pivoted arm to come in contact with the enlarged end 13 and push the gas valve 138L to its seat and close the valve and renew the sparking operation as above explained to relight the pilot burner.

In Fig. 3, 1b represents the heating coil inclosed in casing 2b, and 5b is the cold water inlet and 28b the hot-water outlet. 6b is the heating burner connected by pipe '7b with the interior of casing 8b, said casing containing the gas controlling vlave 9b and connected with the gas supply pipe 14h. 3b is a casing connected with the supply 5b and within said casing is provided a s ring pressed valve llbagainst which the co d water acts when the ressure is reduced in the hot water outlet. onnected with said valve 4b is a rod 10b having a spring extension 13b which is adapted to engage a jointed pendulum 12b pivoted at 11b and having a projecting pin 12. 15b is a rod connected with the gas valve 9b and provided'with an upturned end adapted to be engaged by the rod 10b of valve 4J.l 32b is an electric sparking device having a divided circuit whose ends 33b or 341 are placed on each side of the upper end 35b of the jointed pendulum 12b. One ole of the battery 36b is connected With pivot pin at 11b.

The operation of the invention' as shown in Fig. 3 is as follows: The arts are shown in the position they assume efore the water or gas 1s turned on. When the pressure in the outlet is reduced the cold water acts on the valve 4b and moves the same to the left causing the rod 10b to push the pendulum 12b into the position indicated in dotted lines and at the same time engaging the rod 15b and opening the gas valve' 9b which ermits the gas to flow to the burner 6b. On urther movement of the rod 1G1L thes ring extension 13b slips under and frees itse f of the. pin 12 and permits the endulum to vibrate and cause its upper eng 35b to make and break contact with the ends 33b and 34 thereby forming sparks to ignite the gas flowing from the burner. After said burner has been lighted the valve 9b controlling the gas supply is by the amount of water permitted to pass into the heating coil 1b by valve 4b, for the reason as will be seen byV the construction shown that when the Water valve 4b begins to open the end of'rod 10b enga es the upturned end of rod 15b and opens va ve 9b in the same ratio as the water valve 4b opens.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 4, 1 is the heating coil having the cold water inlet 5 and i lower end of chamber 7.

hot. water outlet 28. 3 is a valve casing having a spring pressed valve 4. Leading from one end of said casing 3 is a pipe 6 leading to the upper end of a chamber 7, and 8 is a pipe connecting the chamber 3 with the 9 is a pipe connecting the middle of chamber 3 'with the sewer or other overflow without back ressure. 10 is a ball valve connection wit the inlet of the heating coil 1 which also is connected by a pipe 1 1 with the chamber 3 and under the spring pressed valve 4. Within said casing 7 is a piston 12 having attached thereto a rod 13 which is suitably connected with a lever 14 and a valve rod 15, said rod controlling the operation of a gas regulating valve 16 within a casing 17. 18 is a gas inlet and 19 is a pipe leading the gas to the burner 6. 20 is a magneto-generator having the terminals of its circuit separated and forming a spark gap 21 near the gas outlet of burner 6. Connected with the free or outer end of the lever 14 is a cord 22 having a return weight 26 and passing over a loose pulley 23 on a shaft 24 carrying the armature of the generator. 25 is a'pawl and ratchet connectionof the loose pulley with the shaft 24 (seeFig. 4).

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows: The parts shown in full lines indicatethe positions they assume when the water and gas are flowin and the burner has been lighted. When t e device is to be started the parts assume the osition indicated in dotted lines. When t e pressure is reduced in the hot water outlet 28 the spring pressed valve 4`is forced down and t e pressure back of the piston 12 is suddenly relieved as will be readily understood. The water passing through to the heating coil 1 causes the piston 12 to suddenly kick or seek its lowest position carrying with it the rod 13, lever 14 and gas valve 16 as shown in full lines, which .movement causes the magneto machine to pass sparks over the gap 21 and lights the gas issuing from the burner 6. As the water flow varies the valve 12 controls the position of gas valve 16 and hence regulates the supply of gas to burner 6.

From the foregoing detailed description and modes of` operation it will be clearly seen Athat I have devised severalforms of apparatus in which the burner of awater heater is automatically' lighted when the water is turned on and the gas su pply to the burner is also automatically regulated. Furthermore should at an time the burner be extinguished it will be re ighted.

While I have in the foregoing specification described several forms of apparatus adapted to accomplish the results aimed at, yet it will be obvious to those skilled'in the art, the specific construction of the heating coil, burner', igniter or the automatic controlling means may be modiiied in many ways Withj outlet, a burner, a gas supply for said burner,`

means for igniting said burner, and means operated by the difference of pressure between the cold water inlet and hot water outlet for automatically controlling the flow of water through the heating coil and gas to the burner and operating the igniting means.

2. A water heater comprising a heating coil having a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet, a burner, a gas supply for said burner, an igniter for saidburner, and means operated by the difference of pressure between the cold water inlet and hot water outlet for automatically controlling the flow of water through the heating coil and gas to the burner and operating the igniter.

3. A water heater comprising a heating coil having a cold Water inlet and a hot Water outlet, a main burner, a gas supply for said burner, an igniter for said burner, a pilot burner for said main burner, and means operated by the difference of ressure between thev cold water inlet and the ot water outlet for automatically controllingfthe ow of water through the heating coil and gas to the burner and operating the igniter.

4. A Water heater comprising aheating coil having a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet, a burner, a gas supply for said burner, a thermostat controlling the gas supply, an igniter for said burner, and means operated by the difference of ressure between the cold water inlet and ot'water outlet for automatically controlling the flow of water through the heating coil and gas to the burner and operating the igniter. f

5. A water heater comprising a heating coil having a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet, a burner, a as supply for said burner, a thermostat `in tehot Water outlet controlling the gas supply, an'igniter for said burner, andmeans operated by the difference of pressure between the cold water inlet and hot water outlet for automatically controllin the ilow of water throu h the heating co' and gas to the burner and igniter.

6. A water heater comprising a heating coil having a cold water inlet and a hot Water outlet, a burner, a gas supply for said burner,

a gas controlling valve, an electric igniter for saldburner, .an means operated by the difference of pressure between the cold water inlet and hot Water outlet for automatically operating the electric igniter and gas valve and controlling the ow of water throughthe heating coil.

operated by the operating thel 7. A water heater comprising a heating coil having a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet, a main burner, a gas'supply for said `ling the gas suiply, an electric igniter for said burner, an means operated by the difference of pressure between the cold Water inlet and hot water outlet for automatically operating the electric igniter and gas valve and controlling the flow of water through the heating coil.

9. A water heater comprising a heating coil having a cold water 'inlet and a hot water outlet, a burner, a gas suppl for said burner, a gas controlling valve, a tliermostat in the hot Water outlet, controlling the gas supply, an electric igniter for said burner, and means operated by the difference of pressure between the cold water inlet and hot water outlet for automatically i niter and gas valve and controlling the ow of Water through the heatingcoill 10. A water, heater com risin a heating coil having a cold water iniet an hot water outlet, Water controlling means in the Apath of the water and actuated by the pressure thereof, a gas burner, a gas supply valve, an igniting device for said burner and means operated by the water controlling means for automatically actuating the igniting-device.

11. A water heater comprising a heating coil having a cold Water inlet and a hot water outlet, a burner, a as supply for said burner, an igniter forlsaid urner, a-thermostat controllingF the gas sup ly and igniter and means tween the cold water inlet and hot water outlet for automatically controlling the flow of water through the heating coil and gas to the burner 'and operating the igniter.

12. A water heater comprising a heating coil having a cold Water inlet and a hot water outlet, a burner, a gas supply for said burner,

means for igniting said burner, and means operated by the difference of pressure between the cold Waterinlet and hot water outoperating the electric ference ofpressure belet for automatically controlling the supply Y of gas to the burner and operating the igniting means.

13. A Water heater comprising a heating coil having a cold water inlet anda hot Water outlet, a main burner, a gas supply for said burner, an igniter for said burner, a pilot burner for said main burner, and means op-` erated by the difference of pressure between the cold water inlet and the hot water outlet for automatically controlling the supply of gas to the burner and operating the igniter.

14. A water heater comprising a heating coil having a cold Water inlet and a hot water outlet, a burner, a gas supply for said burner, a thermostat controlling the gas supply, an igniter for said burner, and means operated by the difference of pressure between the cold Water inlet and hot water outlet for automatically controlling the supply of gas to the burner and operating the ignitcr.

15. A water heater comprising a heating coil having a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet, a burner, a gas supply for said burner, a gas controlling valve, an electric igniter for said burner, and means operated by the dill'erence of pressure between the cold Water inlet and hot water outlet for automatically operating the electric igniter and gas valve.

16. A water heater comprising a heating coil having a cold Water inlet and a hot water outlet, a main burner, a gas supply for said burner, a gas controlling valve, an electric igniter for said burner, a pilot burner for said main burner and means operated by the dil'- ference of pressure between the cold water inlet and the hotI Water outlet for automaticall operating the electric igniter and gas va ve.

17. A water heater comprising a heating coil having a cold Water inlet and a hot Water outlet, a burner, ya gas sup ly for said burner, a gas controlling valve, a t ermostat controlling the gas supply, an electric igniter for said burner and means operated by the difference of pressure between the cold Water inlet and hot water outlet for automatically operating the electric igniter and gas valve.

18. A water heater comprising a heating coil having a cold water inlet and a hot Water outlet7 a burner, a as supply for said burner, an igniter for said urner, a thermostat controlling the gas su ply and igniter, and means operated by t 1e difference of pressure between the cold water inlet and hot water outlet for automatically controlling the supply of gas of the burner and operating the igniter.

GILBERT S. WALKER. Witnesses (I. W. J EFFERS, WILLIAM PAxToN BURKE 5t In testimony whereof I, alix my signature '1n presence of two witnesses. 

